The winning design for Jack Layton ferry terminal has been revealed. It is the work of KPMB Architects (Toronto), West 8 (Rotterdam), and Greenberg Consultants (Toronto). The design won 1,200 responses to an online consultation although the final decision belonged to the selection committee. The new terminal is part of a plan that also includes a wave deck, an indoor/outdoor market, and a publicly accessible green roof. The ferry terminal will be a subject of passing interest to most people but is revealed the life and breath of some in the sharp comments set down under the news at BlogTO. There is much dislike of the green (grass) roof. They don’t last apparently. One reader is ecstatic: “Called it!” he exults. “I knew this would be the one! Now, to see if the execution ends up nearly as nice as the renderings” For sure, friend. Another declares: “We have lefties who want a spacewing roof and green roofs everywhere. Have you seen Leslie Barns? LOL” No, sorry. Here’s another: “The design is appropriate to the area and the nearby parkland, and the undulating roof keeps with the theme already established by the numerous wavedecks at points west of Harbourfront Centre. Of course the pillars will be much thicker, the green room either fenced off or inaccessible and crowds and ferry lapdog (sic) times aren’t going to get much better than they are today.” A cynical note from Nathan Phillips: “I can’t wait to see how the bureaucrats at the City start adding their little pieces of dross to the project. Jack Layton Terminal won’t look like this when it is finished.” Someone wants to know “Why does Ford Nation read BlogTo?” Tough question. But much anxiety attends that green roof: “You don’t need Home Depot style roofs. And you don’t need green roofs either. As per former US Energy Secretary Steven Chu white roofs offer similar cooling effects, and with no added weight to the roof, and without the idiocy of placing moisture on a roof.” Hey, nuff said.
